Recipe for a Healthy Smile for Your Child

Step 1: Start Early!  The earlier oral hygiene is started for your infant or child, the better.  Not only will it help to prevent early childhood caries, but it will also help to make oral hygiene routine by beginning at a very young age. Accordingly, there will be less resistance than if you start oral hygiene practices later.  Beginning a few days after birth, wipe your baby’s gums with a damp, clean wash cloth or wet gauze pad after every feeding. There are also finger cots on the market at baby and department stores with very short soft bristle-like tufts at the tip of the finger, but these are optional—a wash cloth or gauze works well. This helps to clear the mouth of liquids and bacteria. Even breast milk has sugar!

Step 2: No Bottle at Bedtime! Another important preventative measure is to never give your infant or baby a bottle to sleep with.  Milk and juice both contain large amounts of sugar.  It is the frequent exposures of sugar that combine with the gastric acids and bacteria that cause teeth to decay.  If your infant or child must have a bottle at night, make sure it is filled with water only.  Otherwise, your child’s smile may come to look like one of the pictures below, both from nighttime bottle feedings:

baby bottle tooth decay:
bay bottle tooth decay xtreme:
                                                                                                                                                                                
Step 3: Excite Your Child with Age-Appropriate Toothbrushes and Make it Fun!  There are teething rings with toothbrush bristles at the end the baby chews or “gums” on.  This is something you may want to try to get your child comfortable with the idea of brushing. Switch to the toothbrush when your baby starts to get his or her back (molars) teeth in.  Important things to consider when choosing a toothbrush for your child is to look for the ADA seal of approval, make sure it has extra soft bristles, and fits your child’s mouth and hand.  There are many brushes on the market specially designed for toddlers and young children. Choose a fun color or design that will excite your child and make him or her want to brush. Remember, that your child will not be able to effectively brush his or her own teeth until they are about school age, because they will not have the manual dexterity to brush yet. When you brush your child’s teeth, make sure you can see inside the mouth and be careful not to brush too hard. (For proper tooth brushing technique, link to:  www.cdha.org/downloads/properflossing.pdf).  Singing a “toothbrush” song, or playing a favorite song while brushing with your child is a fun way to encourage your child to brush long enough. Brushing for at least two minutes is recommended twice a day: once in the morning after breakfast, and once at night before bed.

silicon finger brush:
infant toothbrush:



                                                                                                          



A couple of things to remember about toothbrushes are that they need to be replaced every 3 months, or when the bristles begin to fray.  And don’t forget to throw them out and replace them after your child has been ill.  

Step 4: Toothpaste.  Your child will not need to use toothpaste until he or she is old enough to spit (plain water will do), although there are non-fluoridated toothpastes on the market that are safe for a young child to use.  Once your child is old enough to spit, a toothpaste containing fluoride is recommended, especially in Kern County because there is no added fluoride in the water.  Most young children do not like the mint flavored varieties; a fruity flavor is usually preferred. Again, choosing toothpaste with fun packaging may make brushing more attractive to a toddler or young child.

Step 5: Flossing.  Your child does not need to start flossing until his or her teeth touch.  Many children have primate spaces between their primary teeth that allow for self-cleansing.  If your child’s teeth touch and do not have spaces between them, you may need to begin flossing them for him or her sooner. By the time the permanent teeth start coming in, flossing should begin, usually needing parental help.  Children do not have the manual dexterity needed for flossing until they are at least able to tie their own shoe lace, or older.  There are many colorful, attractive flossing aids designed specifically for children that encourage them to floss.  The best support comes from parents by the example they exhibit, and from encouragement they give. Brushing and flossing together with your child at night is a great way to not only be a good example and give encouragement, but gives the added bonus of spending some precious moments with your child.

Step 6: Fluoride.  As your child becomes older, and is able to spit for him or herself, adding a mouth rinse that contains fluoride is another adjunctive preventative measure against caries, especially if your child is not taking fluoride in the water or with vitamins.  Have your child rinse for 60 seconds and expel.  This is best at night just before bed with no eating or drinking afterwards.

 Fluoride has been proven to make enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.  Additionally, if you live in Kern County (or in an area that does not fluoridate the water supply), speak with your pediatrician about fluoride drops or vitamins for your baby or child (in which case you may not need to use a fluoride rinse, but ask your dental professional).  


Step 7: Regular Six-Month Dental Checkups!  Last, but very important, take your child to your family dentist or pediatric dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. Six months is recommended because after six months, even with good oral hygiene practices, bacteria and debris can build up and cause problems if it is not removed.  Even dentists and hygienist get their teeth cleaned professionally every six months!  Besides, if there are problems, they can be caught early, which will be less traumatic for your child and your wallet.

Following these simple steps will produce a healthy smile--more like:

healthy baby teeth:

 www.youtube.com:
How to keep your teeth and gums healthy: brushing
How to keep your teeth and gums healthy: flossing



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